Rinsing live sand and rock

[emat1234]

I have read conflicting ideas. Some people say that you should rinse live sand and that rinsing does not get rid of bacteria, and if you do not rinse the sand you will get tons of cloudiness. Others say that rinsing the sand gets rid of the bacteria. Should I rinse my live sand or no? Also would it ok to rinse the sand and non live rock with tap water, or would I have to use ro di for rinsing?

Thanks!

 

[emat1234]

I meant to say dry rock.

 

[sfin52]

I don't rinse the ls. It clouds the water but goes away quick enough. I would rinse the dry rock with rodi water and scrub it with a tooth brush.

 

[Shawn Blevins]

If your trying to reuse old sand for a new setup tap water is fine but it won’t be live anymore can set aside some for seeding. If your removing the sand from an established tank cleaning and putting back in a main display not the best idea. Have cleaned fuge sand that way with no harm. Tap water for dry rock should be fine as long as you’re planning on curing it. New live sand should come with a binding agent to help with cloudiness definitely don’t rinse newly purchased live sand. Wasted your money purchasing live sand if you do

 

[MA Reefer]

For what its worth, i used non live sand and non live rock....i rinsed it with a garden hose, but honestly should have put much more effort in.....i get a sandstorm everytime i touch the substrate now.

If i had to do it again, I'd rinse the sand and rock until clear water flows.

Live sand will probably reduce cycle time a bit, but dead sand after a cycle is now "alive" again.

Agree with the waste of $$ comment....2 choices really 1. Rinse and prevent dustorms but "kill" ur live sand or 2. Throw it in as is and deal with dust over time by siphoning and letting ur filter pick it up.

If it were me id go #1- everyone in this hobby wastes $$ on something that didnt work, broke quick, was totally wrong for what ur trying to do etc

Im only 5 weeks in and have wasted plenty of $$ lol

 

[Shawn Blevins]

After the bacteria bloom/tank cycle sand will settle in and dust storms will go away.